RATIONALE: Vorinostat may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Biological therapies, such as lenalidomide, may stimulate the immune system in different ways and stop cancer cells from growing. Giving vorinostat together with lenalidomide may kill more cancer cells.

PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of vorinostat when given together with lenalidomide in treating patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Assessment of the Maximum Tolerated Dose and Dose-Limiting Toxicities of the combination of vorinostat and lenalidomide in this patient population [ Time Frame: Following Cycle 1 of treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Number of patients with Grade 3 or above adverse events [ Time Frame: Day 8 and 22 of Cycle 1 and Day 1 of subsequent cycles and Day 30 following the last dose of study drug ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Duration, intensity, and time to onset of toxicities [ Time Frame: Day 8 and 22 of Cycle 1 and Day 1 of subsequent cycles and Day 30 following the last dose of study drug ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

AE, laboratory safety assessments, ECOG, ECGs, vital signs, transfusions, hospital days, and antibiotic use [ Time Frame: Day 8 and 22 of Cycle 1 and Day 1 of subsequent cycles and Day 30 following the last dose of study drug ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Objective response rate [ Time Frame: Every nine weeks on therapy after 2 years a minimum of every 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Time to response [ Time Frame: Every nine weeks on therapy after 2 years a minimum of every 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Response duration [ Time Frame: Every nine weeks on therapy after 2 years a minimum of every 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Progression-free survival [ Time Frame: Every nine weeks on therapy after 2 years a minimum of every 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Patients may be enrolled who relapse after autologous stem cell transplant or after allogeneic transplant; they must have no active related infections (i.e., fungal or viral), no acute graft versus host disease (GvHD) of any grade, and no chronic GvHD other than mild skin, or, or ocular GvHD not requiring systemic immunosuppression

Laboratory test results within these ranges:

Absolute neutrophil count >= 1,000/mm^3

Platelet count >= 75,000/mm^3

Serum creatinine =< 1.5 mg/dL

Total bilirubin <= 1.5 mg/dL (however, patients with elevation of unconjugated bilirubin alone, as in Gilbert's disease, are eligible)

AST (SGOT) =< 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN)

ALT (SGPT) =< 2 x ULN

Disease free of prior malignancies for >= 5 years with exception of currently treated blast cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix

All study participants must be registered into the mandatory RevAssist program and be willing and able to comply with the requirements of RevAssist

Females of childbearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test with a sensitivity of at least 50 mIU/ml within 10-14 days prior to and again within 24 hours of prescribing lenalidomide (prescriptions must be filled within 7 days) and must either commit to continued abstinence from heterosexual intercourse or begin TWO acceptable methods of birth control-one highly effective method and one additional effective method AT THE SAME TIME-at least 28 days she starts taking lenalidomide; FCBP must also agree to ongoing pregnancy testing; men must agree to use a latex condom during sexual contact with a FCBP even if they have had a successful vasectomy

Able to take aspirin or low molecular weight heparin as prophylactic anticoagulation

Life expectancy greater than 3 months

Able to swallow enteral medications

Exclusion

Any serious medical condition, laboratory abnormality, or psychiatric illness that would prevent the subject from signing the informed consent form

Pregnant or breast-feeding females; lactating females must agree not to breastfeed while taking lenalidomide

Any condition, including the presence of laboratory abnormalities, that places the subject at unacceptable risk if he/she were to participate in the study or confounds the ability to interpret data from the study

Use of any other experimental drug or therapy with 28 days of baseline

Known sensitivity to thalidomide or histone deacetylating agents

The development of erythema nodosum if characterized by a desquamating rash while taking thalidomide or similar drugs

Any prior use of lenalidomide, vorinostat, or other histone deacetylase inhibitors other than valproic acid, which must be stopped 2 weeks prior to study unless being used for seizure control

Concurrent use of other anti-cancer agents or treatments

Known positive for HIV or infectious hepatitis type B or C

Patients with known brain/CNS metastases

Patients with feeding tubes

Any history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE)

Any current infection requiring the use of antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal medication

Any uncontrolled dysrhythmias

Baseline QTcF interval > 500 msec in the absence of correctable electrolyte imbalance or any patient with a congenital history of QTc prolongation

Current therapeutic anti-coagulation

Any contraindication to safely using prophylactic anticoagulation

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01116154